Hiking in Germany: The Top 4 Hikes [Guest Post]

Do you long to go on an adventure and explore? Are you wishing to breathe in the fresh air and hear the rustling of leaves on the wind?

First, in order to gain some perspective; in this country of many riches there are around 200,000 kilometres of trails marked out. Thus, there is at your disposal more than a lot to potentially explore and enjoy. We have chosen to focus on four different hikes in locations spread wide apart.

Great Hikes in Germany

Märkischer Landweg Trail

This trail located northeast of the German capital and close to the border with Poland, takes its beginning in Feldberg in the Uckermark region.

On many a hill here you can find stunning views over a partly wooded scenery and beautiful waters. The Feldberg Lakes are known for their purity. For the historically and culturally inclined hikers there is an interesting landmark to experience near Lychen, the Himmelspfort Monastery. It once was a home for wayward monks. If you have that desire to get a whiff of times past and a life unknown to you, then this is an interesting place to visit.

Towards the end of the Märkischer Landweg Trail you enter into calm and quiet woodlands, before water is reintroduced in way of the Channel Lakes. The Lower Oder Valley National Park is also part of the stretch. It contains Europe’s last remaining pristine river meadow, where cranes gather in masses every September. If you find yourself at the endpoint of the hike you have arrived at Mescherin.

Danube Peaks Trail

The trail starts off high up at Mount Lemberg, which is the highest elevation in the Baden-Württemberg section of the Swabian Alb, from where you have a chance to see the Alps on a clear day.

The path into the Danube Gorge serves up some varied scenery and you may have the possibility of watching gliders making good use of Klippeneck, which is Germany’s highest glider airfield. On this trail there is the medieval town of Mühlheim an der Donau to discover, if you should find yourself in that mood.

You will also have a chance to experience Kolbingen cave, which has beautiful dripstone formations.

For those that enjoy exploring castles and ruins there is Bronnen Castle and the Kallenberg ruins. The final leg of the trail provides a gorgeous view of the Upper Danube valley, ending with the appearance of its cultural and spiritual centre, Beuron Abbey in Beuron.

Painters’ Trail

The landscape of the Elbe Sandstone massif, lying south of Dresden and not far from the border to the Czech Republic, promises to make an impression on any hiker.

The area known as Saxon Switzerland boasts the Bastei Rock formation and from the heights of it you are able to see over long stretches of landscape and even the Růžovský vrch hill on the Czech side of the border.

The trail’s name is influenced by, among others, German Romantic landscape painter Caspar David Friedrich, who derived inspiration from the surroundings here. To get to the startpoint of this trail then go to Liebethal and take your leave at Pirna.

E9 European Coast Path

How about hiking near the ocean? Does it sound appealing to you? Then perhaps this is just the route for you to take.

Linking the coasts of the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic, the E9 offers an interesting way for the hiker enjoying Maritime areas. In its Mecklenburg-Western Pomeranian stretch it starts at Travemünde and runs along the Baltic coastline as it passes through various resorts as well as fishing villages.

Warnemünde is an example of an old fishing village turned seaside resort, where you can watch the fishing and pleasure boats on the canal. Of interest to explore in the village is also a lighthouse and the carefully restored cottages from fishermen of old. If you are so inclined you can walk along the harbour wall.

The trail ends in Ahlbeck.

We hope to have managed to peak your interest at exploration of versatile nature areas in describing some of the more interesting experiences that can be had for the outdoor enthusiast in Germany.

Amsandra Johansson is part of the team at GoEuro, a new Internet platform that helps travelers compare and combine air, rail, bus and car travel options and get you to your outdoor destination. She is hoping to fit in an autumn hike to the Feldberg Lakes.